Leica Microsystems, a global leader in microscopy and scientific instrumentation, has announced the official opening of its $60 million (S$82 million) medical manufacturing and R&D facility in Singapore.

As one of Leica’s four global production sites, Singapore is solely responsible for the manufacturing of surgical microscopes for export to global markets, currently contributing to 40% of the company’s total revenue.

The new facility brings together product development and manufacturing under one roof, and is expected to double the company’s global production volume of surgical microscopes for international export. In addition to surgical microscopes, the facility will produce microscopes for industrial applications. 

The new, next-generation manufacturing facility is certified Green Mark Platinum, and is equipped with state-of-the-art digital technologies that enable a high level of automation, enhancing productivity. Additionally, Leica will be expanding its teams in research and development, regulatory affairs, quality assurance, and product management, growing the existing workforce to more than 500 people. 

Surgical microscopes are an indispensable tool in the operating theatre. The global market for surgical microscopes is expected to grow by +14% (CAGR) over the next decade along with increasing demand for minimally invasive surgical procedures, such as brain, spinal cord or eye surgeries. Advancements in surgical microscopes enable surgeons to perform surgeries with greater precision and speed, which could translate to better patient outcomes, lower length of hospital stays, and reduced waiting list times.